Chapter 872

Evelyn Carter looked up as Alexander Hamilton unexpectedly returned, her fingers tapping lightly on the medical chart. "Why are you back?"

His suit jacket still carried the sterile scent of hospital disinfectant. He stood at the clinic doorway, his gaze settling on her slightly rounded abdomen. "Forgot something."

She arched an eyebrow.

This man was meticulous—such careless mistakes were beneath him.

Alexander turned to retrieve a paper bag from the hallway. Inside lay a soft cashmere blanket and a memory foam lumbar cushion. "The AC is too strong. This will keep you warm. The cushion helps with prolonged sitting."

Her fingers trembled slightly as she accepted them.

These were exactly what she needed most right now.

"Thank you." Her voice was soft, yet it sent ripples through his dark eyes.

After leaving the hospital, Alexander lingered before a maternity store display. His reflection in the glass showed an uncharacteristic smile.

When Emily Zade opened his office door, she nearly blinked at her boss's rare expression.

"Mr. Hamilton, shall I arrange roses?" Her instincts prickled.

His fingers paused on the desk. "Not yet."

The search report from Bianca Langley's disappearance at sea flashed through his mind, extinguishing the light in his eyes.

Emily inhaled sharply—she'd seen the deepening indentation on his ring finger.

The police call came at dawn on the seventh day.

"Mr. Hamilton, we've recovered the vehicle wreckage." The officer's voice crackled through the receiver. "Two bodies were found inside."

Alexander's grip on the steering wheel turned his knuckles white.

The funeral home lights glared coldly. Alone outside the morgue, his pen carved deep grooves into the confirmation form.

The coroner handed him an evidence bag. "These were Miss Langley's personal effects."

A sapphire earring glimmered dully in the plastic—the matching pair to what Bianca had worn on Evelyn's birthday.

Alexander dialed a long-dormant number. Vincent Croix's former associate wailed theatrically: "Dead? My cash cow!"

He hung up and transferred a sum of money.

During the ashes handover, the man rubbed his hands. "Mr. Hamilton, shall we... scatter them at sea?"

"Do as you please." Alexander turned away. The salt-laden wind reminded him of Vincent's final text: "I'll go with her."

When Evelyn pushed open the cemetery gates, ginkgo leaves rustled down like falling snow.

Emily followed with a black umbrella, hesitating. "Mrs. Hamilton..."

"I'm fine." Evelyn traced the cold headstone where Bianca's photo still blazed vibrantly. Suddenly she doubled over retching, steadied by Alexander's grasp.

Emily gasped. "The first trimester is hardest! You should be resting!"

Waving her off, Evelyn produced a velvet box from her bag. Inside lay an identical sapphire earring.

"I meant to..." Her words dissolved in the wind.

Then Alexander knelt abruptly on the damp earth, his soil-streaked palm upturned. "After the baby comes... Let's see the Northern Lights in Iceland?"

Ginkgo leaves dusted his shoulders like belated snowfall.